Norfolk FBI Announces 2012 Director’s Community Leadership Award Recipient

Special Agent in Charge John Boles of the Norfolk Field Office of the FBI announced his selection of Ms. Tressa Denise Johnson, Management Analyst, Human Services Department for the City of Norfolk, as the local recipient of the FBI’s 2012 Director’s Community Leadership Award for her commitment to the youth and communities in Hampton Roads.

Ms. Johnson’s work in the community began over seven years ago when she became an active member of the Virginia Gang Investigators Association. Since 2010, Ms. Johnson has volunteered to work with after-school programs where she provides assistance with homework, facilitates group discussions, and encourages at-risk students to remain drug and crime free.

In May 2011, Ms. Johnson graduated from the FBI’s Citizens’ Academy and became an active member of the Norfolk FBI’s Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association. As such, she successfully wrote a grant proposal on behalf of the Alumni Association to spearhead a workshop sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for a project known as “America Healing: A Racial Equity Initiative.”

The workshop was subsequently sponsored by the Alumni Association in April 2012, with support of the Norfolk FBI, as a way to highlight Norfolk’s Civil Rights Program and:

■Be a catalyst for improving the quality of life within the individual communities through law enforcement related and awareness programs

■Establish the exchange of information between the FBI and the community

■Foster racial relations among communities and individuals

Ms. Johnson continues to develop outreach ideas, seek out grant funding for the Alumni Association, and give presentations with Norfolk FBI staff and local law enforcement on Bullying and Gangs.

Ms. Johnson will be formally presented with an award on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at the office of the Norfolk FBI located at 150 Corporate Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23502.

Members of the press and media are invited to attend.

Nimitz Presents First Lt. Cmdr. Regina P. Mills Leadership Award

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Renee Candelario, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- The Navy distributed the first Lt. Cmdr. Regina Pearl Mills Leadership Award during an award ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) Aug. 9.

 More than 500 Sailors from the Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB) community assembled on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) for the ceremony.

The award was presented to Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Saleema N. Massey.

"I'm excited," said Massey. "I didn't expect it. It's a very big thing for me. My heart is still racing. I was really close to Regina. I was here for both her tours on Nimitz and she did my last reenlistment. Having this award means a lot."

During the ceremony, Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Mill's, Regina's husband, addressed the crowd of AB's.

"A few weeks after my wife's death I was contacted by members of the Aviation Boatswain's Mate Association (ABMA) to discuss a way in which we can honor Regina's memory," said Mills. "The decision was made by the ABMA Board of Directors to create this award. I cannot thank the ABMA enough."

Mills added that the purpose of the award is to recognize the outstanding leadership in the AB community.

 Regina's daughter, Cherie Ayer, also attended the ceremony to assist in presenting the award.

"[The ceremony] was really touching for me," said Ayer. "I'm really glad the award went to Massey. She's a great person and she deserves it. I'm glad everyone was able to get together on Nimitz. There's a lot of history on this ship. I'm glad to be here."

Regina reported for her second tour aboard Nimitz in December 2009 to serve as the Navy's first female aircraft handling officer. She is known for her strength, determination and tremendous leadership during her tours, said Mills.

Regina was struck and killed by a vehicle when she stopped to assist others involved in a traffic collision in Gig Harbor, Wash., Jan. 23, 2012.

Nimitz recently arrived at NASNI after successful completion of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012.

New Jersey Humanitarian Recognized by FBI as Its 2011 Director’s Community Leadership Award Recipient

NEWARK—Since 1990—through the Director’s Community Leadership Awards (DCLA)—the FBI has publicly recognized the achievements of individuals and organizations like these who have gone above and beyond the call to service by making extraordinary contributions to their communities in the areas of terrorism, cyber, drug, gang, or violence prevention and education. And this year is no exception: this past March, nearly 60 individuals and organizational representatives—all 2011 DLCA recipients—gathered for a ceremony in their honor at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Director Mueller, who presented a specially designed plaque to each recipient, called the honorees “catalysts for change” in their communities and said that each one shared “a willingness to lead....a commitment to improving your neighborhoods...and a desire to make this country safer for your fellow citizens.”

The Newark Division is particularly proud to honor Dr. Joan Rivitz for promoting human and civil rights. In 2003, Dr. Rivitz was appointed the New Jersey commissioner of civil rights and serves as chairperson of the New Jersey Commission on Civil Rights. As a member of the New Jersey Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention, Dr. Rivitz has worked to end childhood bullying. She serves on the Bergen-Passaic County Board of the American Conference on Diversity and the Board of Education of the Hovnanian School in New Milford, New Jersey.

Dr. Rivitz’s humanitarianism is evident through her dedication to public awareness and education about the Holocaust. She is chairperson of the advisory board of the New Jersey Human Relations Council and is the associate director of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education. Dr. Rivitz served as the co-chairperson of the 58th Annual International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies Conference, which afforded representatives from around the world an opportunity to discuss human rights issues together. Dr. Rivitz has conducted sessions such as “Learning from the Lessons of the Past and Applying These Lessons to the Present Day” and has worked as a committee member of the New Jersey Summit Against Hate.

Dr. Rivitz serves as the coordinator and director of a financial grant made to the FBI National Citizens Academy and awarded to the Newark chapter. The America Healing: A Racial Equity Initiative, which was applied to the city of Newark, was made possible through statewide community outreach. Law enforcement officers, gang members, clergy, non-profit organizations, and community leaders worked together in an unprecedented effort to help Newark’s youth resist gang activity.

Dr. Rivitz’s name is inscribed on The Wall of Tolerance in Alabama in recognition of her efforts to take a personal and public stand against hate, injustice, and intolerance.

SAC Michael Ward remarked, “Dr. Rivitz’s contributions to New Jersey cannot be overstated. She has dedicated herself to civil rights issues, not only through words, but also through person investment and action. Above and beyond those contributions, Dr. Rivitz is also an active member of the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni and helps provide guidance and consult in the Newark Division’s Community Outreach Program.”

Dr. Rivitz currently serves as the Regional Vice President of the National FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBICAAA) and a Board of Trustees member of the New Jersey Chapter of the FBICAAA. The FBI Newark Division Citizens Academy is currently in its ninth year and is scheduled to graduate its newest members on May 2, 2012 in Newark.

To see coverage of the ceremony and Director Mueller’s remarks, please visit http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/march/dcla_031612/dcla_031612.

2011 Director’s Community Leadership Awards

The Salt Lake City Division is pleased to honor the Blackfeet Housing Project’s Pikanii Action Team for its commitment to reducing binge drinking and drunk driving. In 2008, the housing project was awarded a grant by the Montana State Department of Public Health, and the Pikanii Action Team began identifying and implementing initiatives to address alcohol issues in the community.

The team worked to enforce responsible alcohol sales by vendors and supported a driving under the influence (DUI) task force with enhanced compliance checks. The team also developed a media campaign, organized a town hall meeting, and met with tribal officials. To achieve its goals, the action team established strategy groups to implement plans and create community awareness about the project. Although its grant funding was exhausted in May 2011, the team has continued its efforts through the passage of new ordinances and ongoing community outreach.

As a result of organized safety checks, the Pikanii Action Team saw a decrease in DUI violations, dropping from 484 violations in 2009 to 199 violations in 2010.

2011 Director’s Community Leadership Awards

The Sacramento Division is pleased to honor Women Escaping a Violent Environment (WEAVE) for its work supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sacramento County.

Established in 1978, WEAVE has matured from a small grassroots non-profit organization into a nationally recognized agency with 80 paid staff members and many active volunteers. WEAVE volunteers and community partners believe a key component to ending the cycle of violence and abuse is prevention and education. The organization’s staff and volunteers dedicate time and resources to educating the community about domestic violence in an effort to improve how the community responds to these issues.

WEAVE has been honored for its efforts by many organizations and officials, including the Nonprofit Resource Center, the U.S. Department of Justice, the governor of California, the Human Rights Fair Housing Commission, and the president of the United States. 

2011 Director’s Community Leadership Awards

The Tampa Division is pleased to honor Ms. Rose Ferlita for her work in starting Bully Busters, a comprehensive nationwide anti-bullying program in Hillsborough County. Her work started after an alleged sexual assault at a local middle school, in which the victim shared that he had endured months of bullying prior to the attack.

Through Ms. Ferlita’s efforts, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay partnered to organize Bully Busters. To help implement the initiative, Ms. Ferlita created an anti-bullying advisory committee comprised of 13 voting members, including parents, caretakers, and participants from relevant agencies and children’s youth groups, to develop an approach to eliminate bullying. The committee serves as a vital resource to the County Commission in public policy development and evolution of bullying prevention. The group also has a youth subcommittee that assists young people in speaking out against bullying and violence.

Bully Busters’ efforts focus on public and community awareness and support. Parents and students can call or text the local sheriff’s office to report bullying behavior. In 2011, the program was honored by the National Association of Counties for effective and innovative county government initiatives.

The initiative is not Ms. Ferlita’s first foray into the world of public service—she has more than 20 years of experience serving on boards, commissions, councils, and task forces.